Plastic waste has become ubiquitous. We need new solutions for the design, production and use of plastics, as well as for the collection, sorting and recycling of plastic waste and sustainable alternatives to fossil-based plastics.

This challenge will reward the most innovative approaches to reducing plastic waste and improving re-use and recycling at a systemic level.

Millions of tonnes of plastic waste are generated each year. In the EU, 27.1 million tonnes of post-consumer plastic were collected in 2016.The European Strategy for Plastics aims at addressing the plastic waste challenge through measures such as ensuring that all plastic packaging is recyclable or reusable by 2030. Successfully tackling plastic waste requires a systemic approach, including a rethink of supply chains, re-design of materials and products, new uses for plastic waste and recycled plastics, or changing consumer and business habits. The international push for action on plastic waste and the heavy integration of plastics into almost all walks of modern life are significant motivations for fresh thinking around social and scalable solutions to addressing plastic waste.

Sub-Themes

Reducing the consumption of single use plastic products

Single-use plastic is responsible for large amounts of plastic waste. We need to produce more sustainable alternatives and encourage consumers to choose these.